UCL Preview – Bayern Munich to test Real Madrid

Real Madrid FC travel to the Allianz Arena to face Bayern Munich in what could easily be described as the biggest tie of the 2017/18 UEFA Champions League semi-final round. The Wednesday night fixture sees the Bavarian giants take on the Los Blancos in their quest for their 6th European title, as they will be hoping to repeat the feat of their 2013 treble-winning season.

In the build-up to the game, Bayern Munich veteran manager Jupp Heynckes opined that there are no favorites as both teams renew their rivalry on the European stage despite Real Madrid’s strengths and two consecutive UCL wins.

“This match will be a delight for the football consumer because you have top players on both sides and teams play attractive, cultivated football,” Jupp Heynckes said.

Meanwhile, it can be recalled that Real Madrid had to go through decent quality opposition in the likes of PSG and Juventus to progress to this stage. Bayern Munich didn’t look down on a stubborn Sevilla side as they eliminated the La Liga outfit to book a place in the semis against a bigger La Liga outfit. This is a crunch fixture, although both teams will be on the lookout for who progresses from the other tie in a final where either of them will be overwhelming favorites on paper.

Bayern Munich could likely be without the likes of Manuel Neuer, Arturo Vidal, and Kingsley Coman who were absent from training on Monday.This shouldn’t be of utmost concern to Heynckes as the trio has been absent from the side for a while due to long-term injury layoffs.

Real Madrid, on the other hand, have no fresh injury concerns as Zinedine Zidane will be spoiled for choice on whom to select to enable the Los Blancos to navigate this first leg fixture in a way that suits them after the two-legged encounter. Ramos is back from suspension while Nacho has returned to training.

Some interesting facts to excite Real Madrid fans ahead of the tie.

Bayern Munich have ended up on the losing side in their last five games against Real Madrid in the UCL with these games coming in the knock out stages of the competition. Precisely two-quarter final clashes and three semi-final clashes.

Zinedine Zidane has lost just one of his six Champions League ties against Bayern Munich as both player and manager. The only defeat coming in April 2002.